In Jinan's Lixia district, history flows through cobbled alleys and spring-fed lakes, guided by the legacies of China's literary icons. This cultural heartland, home to Daming Lake and Qianfo Mountain, invites travelers to walk in the footsteps of poets, patriots, and philosophers.

At Qianfo Mountain, a bronze statue of Song Dynasty warrior-poet Xin Qiji (1140 — 1207) stands tall. His verses, echoing loyalty and defiance, come alive at Xingguo Temple, where preserved manuscripts and armor fragments capture his dual mastery of pen and sword. In contrast, Li Qingzhao's memorial at Baotu Spring Gardens evokes a graceful melancholy. Lotus ponds reflect her lyrics, while her favorite Ming-era pavilion frames the misty landscape she once described.

On the shore of Daming Lake, Nanfeng Ancestral Hall honors Zeng Gong, a famous writer from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) known for his elegant prose and pragmatic ideals. Across the water, Chaoran Pavilion glows nightly, while nearby Nanxin Street preserves the 1930s residence of Lao She. His typewriter, glasses, and annotated drafts of Rickshaw Boy offer a glimpse into his Jinan-inspired creativity.

Lixia's magic lives beyond museum walls. Along Qushuiting Street, tea houses serve Pu'er in cups etched with Xin Qiji's lines, while spring-fed lanes echo with verses of the past. As Daming Lake glows at dusk, it becomes clear—these legends are not relics but the living soul of Lixia.